Microsoft started it by caving in to Universal’s whim and is now paying Universal a portion of the price of the Zune. Universal’s rationale, MP3 players such as Zune and the iPod are home to pirated music. That’s pretty stupid logic to me. You’re making people pay for a crime that they’ll supposedly commit.
Should Apple follow suit? Hell no! Here’s why.
1. Microsoft set a bad precedent – Microsoft caved in and almost admitted that Zune owners are indeed thieves. I would as a consumer feel bad that a company would declare me guilty before proving so.
2. Universal and Other Labels Are Making Money Doing Nothing – This is essentially what it is, making money out of nothing. Universal said they’re entitled to a portion of the sale of MP3 players because it houses pirated music, how are they sure that it’s their music and not someone elses. Even if it was theirs, will they give the money to artists as well? How are they sure they’ll be giving money to the correct artists? They can’t. The only ones that will profit from this are the music labels, not the artists. I’d rather give money to artists.
3. This Will Bring Prices Up – If Universal wants a cut, others will want one as well. What’s stopping other record labels from asking for their share as well? Nothing. So this will add to the price of MP3 players. I don’t know about you, but I’d like them to get cheaper not more expensive.
Sometimes I really think that the music industry is getting what they deserve. That’s why people pirate their stuff. It’s because they’re getting so damn greedy. It’s not as if all the artists are making money of it. With the digital age, I do hope that the business models shift. Artists should have more power and leverage for their music.
So, no. Apple should not give one cent to Universal or any other music label apart from their cut from the iTunes sales.
That being said, check out this cool entry from Daring Fireball.
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Should Apple Give Money For Every iPod Sold?
Microsoft started it by caving in to Universal’s whim and is now paying Universal a portion of the price of the Zune. Universal’s rationale, MP3 players such as Zune and the iPod are home to pirated music. That’s pretty stupid logic to me. You’re making people pay for a crime that they’ll supposedly commit.
Should Apple follow suit? Hell no! Here’s why.
1. Microsoft set a bad precedent – Microsoft caved in and almost admitted that Zune owners are indeed thieves. I would as a consumer feel bad that a company would declare me guilty before proving so.
2. Universal and Other Labels Are Making Money Doing Nothing – This is essentially what it is, making money out of nothing. Universal said they’re entitled to a portion of the sale of MP3 players because it houses pirated music, how are they sure that it’s their music and not someone elses. Even if it was theirs, will they give the money to artists as well? How are they sure they’ll be giving money to the correct artists? They can’t. The only ones that will profit from this are the music labels, not the artists. I’d rather give money to artists.
3. This Will Bring Prices Up – If Universal wants a cut, others will want one as well. What’s stopping other record labels from asking for their share as well? Nothing. So this will add to the price of MP3 players. I don’t know about you, but I’d like them to get cheaper not more expensive.
Sometimes I really think that the music industry is getting what they deserve. That’s why people pirate their stuff. It’s because they’re getting so damn greedy. It’s not as if all the artists are making money of it. With the digital age, I do hope that the business models shift. Artists should have more power and leverage for their music.
So, no. Apple should not give one cent to Universal or any other music label apart from their cut from the iTunes sales.
That being said, check out this cool entry from Daring Fireball.